Mouthpiece for sound-transmitters.



J. GRAHAM.

MOUTHIIBGE FOR SOUND TRANSMITTERS.

APPLIOATIQN FILED APB..22,19 10.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

- STATES 1 JOI-I'N GRAHAM, or; 'PHILADELPHIA; rnnns LvAinA 'MOUTH'PIECE rortjsoUun rnANsaarIr'rnns.-. i

Specifieation of Lettersliatent. Patented Feb.;I21 1911, Application filed April 22, 1910. serial 1%. 556,956. A

i To all whom it may concern:

I Be-it known that I, JOHN GRAHAM a citi zen of the United States of America, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadel- Vphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mouthpieces for Sound-Transmitters, of

i which the following is a specification, referenc'e being had therein to the accompanying drawing.-

This invention relates to mouth-pieces for sound transmitters and is designed prima- -1lly for use in connectlon with 'public teleplicable.

The indiscriminate use of publicsound transmitting devices, such as telephones and speaking tubes is disagreeable-and dangerous, by reason of the frequent collecting of dirt and germs in the mouth-piece of the instrument and under such conditions many persons hesitate to make use of public sound transmitting devices, especially when sanitary conditions are bad and where the habits of the users of the devices are such as to injure the health.

To effectually prevent the transmission of germs of contagious diseases between individuals using the transmitting device is the essential object of this invention and to this end the invention consists in providing a sanitary mouth-piece of inexpensive material, simple in construction and quickly mounted in operative position and designed to be employed but once and after use destroyed at small cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mouth-piece for sound transmitting devices in a manner as hereinafter set forth and which will overcome the unpleasant odors emitting fron'i anti-septic mouthpieces or linings, such odors being very objectionable to many individuals. I v

A further object of the invention 1s to pro vide a mouth-piece forsound transmitting devices in a manner as hereinafter set forth for overcoming the inconveniences and de-- lays and. uncertainties attending the renewing of linings for mouth-piecesand to also overcome the recharging of ant1-sept1c containers or substances in special mouth-pieces and also overcoming the necessity and ex.- pense oftakingcare of the forms of sanitary mouth-pieces now in general use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a" sanitary,mouth-piece in .a-manner as hereinafter setforth which is conveniently and quickly attached to and removed from a sound transmitting device or to the ordinary mouth-piece of a telephone transmitter.

A'further object of the invention is to provide a means for the ready destruction of the mouth-piece when removed from the instrument to prevent any danger of re-use of the mouth-piece whereby each individual using a sound transmitting device will be compelled to use an independent mouth-piece thereby reducing dangers of transn'iission of diseases through this medium to a minimum.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of thenovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein. is shown the adaptation of the invention in connection with a telephone transmitter, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can beresorted to which come within the scope of theclaimshereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a mouthpiece and its attaching means or carrier and showing by way of example, the adaptation of the mouth-piece and its attachingmeans in connection with a telephone transmitter. Fig. 1 is alongitudinal sectional view showing the adaptation of amouthpiece .in accordance with this invention in connection with a transmitter without the employment of the attaching means. Fig. 2 is a sectional detail illustrating a portion of the attaching means or carrier. 3

is a side elevation showing a nest of mouthpieccs supported upon a bracket, the bracket bv way of example, being shown connected to the pedestal of a telephone. Fig. A is a "sectional view of a modified form of attaching means or carrier. Fig. 5 1s an elevation broken away illustrating the front plate of "a telephone transmltter havingformed integral therewith the attaching means or carrier for'the 'mouth plece. Fig. 6 1s a vertical sectional view of the plate shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the arrow and on line XX, Fig. 1, and, Fig. 8- is a sectional de tail illustrating a modified arrangement of: diaphragm with respect to the perforated connection with a telephone transmitter, but

. found applicable.

,material suitable for the purpose.

it is to be understood that the mouth-piece.

with -or without its attaching means can be employed in connection with any form of sound'transmitt-ing device. for whichfit is v The use of the term tele hone is to be taken, generically for any ormof sound transmitting device for: which the mouth-piece is found applicable.

' Referring to the drawin s, 1 denotes a telephone transmitter pivota ly-connected to a pedestal or stand 2 and provided with a front plate 3' having a centrally-disposed opening and further provided with an inwardly-extending annular inte ral collar 4 provided with peripheral threa s 5.. v

.The mouth-piece consists of a body-portion 6 in the form of a shell and which is preferably conical in'contour and manufactured from any inexpensive and easily destructible 'material' such as a sized woven fabric as cotton cloth, lawn, silk, etc., or from any character of paper or card-board or paraflin paper or card-board or any lcgthtjafr re erably, the body-portion 6 is constructed of paper, which while flexible to any required degree, may be made of sufiicientrigidity to withstand very rough usage and yet be easily crushed out of shape by the hand when removed from the sound transmitting device or readily torn and rendered unfit for further use. The blank from which the shell is formed has one edge thereof toothed or serrated and to providetriangular-shaped portions, which when the blank is shaped to provide the body-portions 6, are bent inwardly at right angles as indicated at 7 and constitute retainingarms for a perforated disk 6" which is arranged at the inner end of the body-portion 6 and securedto the arms 7 The arms 7 also act to make the shell more rigid at its reduced end. i The perforated disk 6 constitutes a closure for the inner or outlet end of the mouth-piece and which further constitutes a-means for making the inner end of the mouth-piece very rigid to prevent it from collapsing. Thedisk 6 is perforated in such manner as to notinterfere with the passage of? the sound waves to the sound transmitting destructed of any suitable moisture-proof mater1al that Wlll not arrest the passage of the sound waves but will prevent the passage 'therethrough of moisture, breath, dust or disease germs into the transmitter. The

inner end of the mouth-piece may be further reinforced by a peripheral band 6. 1

One endof the mouth-piece is of a size small enough to enter the opening in the face plate of the transmitter and when using, the individual takes up the mouth piece and. inserts the small end into the threaded opening of the face plate of the transmitter and then gives the mouth-piece a slight turn, preferably to the right, and the same is then ready for use. When through speaking, the individual pulls the mouth-piece out of the transmitter and crushes the same in the hand to destroy it.

For more convenient use in public places or. the like, I provide attaching means or a. carrier whichis connected to the threaded collar of the front plate of the transmitter and to attaching means or carrier isfadapted to be connected themouth-piece. The said attaching means comprises a cylindrical body portion 10 having peripheral threads 11,. which engage with the threads 5 whereby the attaching means is connected to the transmitter. The body-portion 10 at its outer end is formed with a" laterally-extending annular flange 12 which when the bodyportion 10 is mounted in position abuts against the outer face of the plate 3. Iro- I jecting from the flange 12 is a flaring holder 13 slitted at various points to provide inwardly-extending clamping arms 14:, which "are adapted to engage the periphery of the mouth-piece when the latter is mounted in the holder 13 and retain the mouth-piece in position. The. holder 13 is furthermore slit ted'at various points to provide inwardlyextending piercing barbs or teeth, 15, which when the mouth-piece is mounted in the holder 13 areadaptedto pierce the mouthpiece so that after the mouth-piece has been used by an individual and during the act of removal, the barbs or' teeth 15 will destroy the inner. portion of the mouth-piece so that the latter cannot be used-again and therefore it necessitates the employment of a new mouth-piece when it is desired to The attaching' again use the telephone. means is formed. preferably of thin metal,

but it is obvious that any suitable material can be employed.

In Fig. 3 the pedestal 2 is shown provided with, a bracket 16 for supporting a nest 17 of mouth-pieces within reach of the individ-v ual who isto use the telephone, sot-hat he can conveniently remove a mouth-piece and mount the-same in thezholder 13 for use and after using the telephone will then re- 3 move the mouth-piece and crush it or asbefore stated, the barbs or teeth 15 will destroy'themouth-piece in removal so that it cannot be used again.

" Referring to'Figpsh'a modified form of "attaching means or carrier is inserted in and connected to; the ordinary mouth-piece 18 of t'h'e telephone. The attaching means or carrier in" Fig. i consists" of a conical-shaped body portion 19 provided with a clamping flange 20 which-is adapted .to bind against tlIG'PQl'lPllQlY of the mouth-piece 18 at the outer? end thereof as clearly shown in Fig. l

"whereby'theattaching means or carrier is having its inner end provided with an inclamping arms wardly-extending annular flange 2-5. The body-portion is'formed with the clamping arms :26and the piercing barbs or teeth 27.

In Fig. 8 the diaphragm 8 is shown attached to the arms? and the disk 6" secured against the diaphragm 8.

The clamping arms 21 in Fig. l and the 26 in Fig. 6 perform the same function as the clamping arms in Figs. 1 and 2 and the piercing barbs in Fig. 4: and Fig. 6 perform the same function as the piercing barbs or teeth 15 in Figs. 1 and 2.

he attaching means or carriers illustrated in Figs. 1. i and (l are constructed of any suitable material preferably metal.

If desired. the periphery of each of the mouth-pieces can be provided with suitable advertising matter or with instructions for their individual use.

The manner in which the mouth-piece is used with the attaching means or carriers is as follows: The attaching means or carrier is first connected to the transmitter and it will now be assumed that the sound transmitting device is desired for use by an individual. The person using the device removes one of the mouth-pieces from the nest or from any other suitable support upon which the mouth-pieces are mounted or the mouth-piece may be given to the individual by an. attendant. The individual places the small end of the mouth-piece within the holder 13 and against the flange 12, the barbs or teeth piercingthe mouth-piece and the spring arms 14 clamping the mouthpiece in position in-the holder The diaphragm 8 in the mouth-piece s capable of transmitting sound and allowing free and full conversation while the device is being used and, as before stated, will prevent any disease germs or other substances-massing into the transmitter. When the conversation is ended the individual simply pulls out the cup and during such operation it is destroyed for further use owing to the action of the piercing barbs or teeth 15 causing the mouth-piece to become torn as it removed. The foregoing method is employed whenever a mouth-piece is used.

A novel feature of the invention is thatthe mouth-piece can be used as an advertising medium, the advertising matter not only being upon the periphery of the mouthpiece but also upon the inner face thereof.

.IVh-at I claim is: 4

1; In combination, a flexible mouth-piece for a telephone closed at its inner end by 2 sound penetrable diaphragm. and a -arrier having a plurality of resilient arms for clamping the mouthpiece to hold it in position.

2. In combination, a flexible mouth-piece for a telephone closed at its inner end by a sound penetrable diaphragm. and a detachable carrier having a plurality of resilient arms for clamping the mouth-piece to hold itin position.

3. In con'ibination. a 'renu'ivable shaped mouth-piece for telephones. and a carrier for attaching the mouth-piece to a telephone transmitter and provided with means for destroying the mouth-piece as the latter is removed from the carrier.

a. In combination, a removable mouthpiece for telephones capable of being destroyed during the act of removal. and a carrier for connecting the mouth-piece to a telephone transmitter and provided with resilient arms for securing the mouthpiece in position and also provided with means for destroying the mouth-piece during its removal from the arricr.

5. In combination. a mouth-piece for telephones formed of light flexible material (:1 pable of being destroyed when removed froni the telcplmne. and a carrier connected with the transmitter of the telephone and adapt ed to receive the mouth-piece and provided with resilient arms for retaining the mouth-piece in position and further provided with piercing barbs for destroying the mouth-piece during the removal thereof from the carrier.

6. In combination. a removable monthpiece for telephones capable of being destroyed during the act of removal. a carrier for connecting the mouth-piece to 'a telephone transmitter and provided with resilient arms for securing the mouth-piece in position and also provided with means for destroying the mouth-piece during its removal from the carrier. and a sound penetrabledia-v phragin secured to the mouth-piece.

7. In combination. a mouth-piece for telephones formed of light flexible material capable of being destroyed when removed from the telephone. a carrier connected with the transmitter of the telephone and adapted to receive the mouth-piece and provided with resilient arms forretaining the mouth-piece cuplot)

'- and a sound penetrable tion.

in position and further provided withpiercingbarbs for destroying the'mouthpiece during the removal thereof from the carrier, diaphragm secured to the mouth-piece,

In combination,'a mouth-piece for telephonesformed of light flexible material capable. of being destroyed when removed from the telephone, and a carrier adapted to be mounted in the face plate of a telephone transmitter and adapted to receive the mouth piece and'provided with resilient arms for retaining the mouth-piece in posi- 9. A telephone mouth-piece substantially conical in contour an'dforme'd of paper, and

a soundpenetrablediaphragm secured to themouth-piece, and a carrier for detachably connecting the mouth-piece to a telephonetransmitter and provided with means for de stroying the mouth-piece during the removal 7 of the latter from'the carrier.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a mouthpiece 'for sound transmitting devices composed of light flexible material of suite cient rigidity and "capable of being. readily destroyed, "a perforated disk secured to the mouth-piece at the inner end thereof and constituting a closure for the outlet of the mouth-piece, and an imperforate sound penetrable diaphragm secured to the mouthpiece and constituting means to prevent the passage of moisture, germs and dirt through the outlet end of the mouth-piece,

11. As a new article of manufacture, a

mouth-piece for sound transmitting devices composed of light flexible material of suiiicient rigidity and capable of being readily destroyed, a perforated disk secured within the mouth-piece 'at the inner end thereof, and a carrier for attaching the mouth-piece to a telephone transmitter.

12.,As a new article of manufacture, a mouth-piece for sound transmitting devices composed of light flexible material of sufficient rigidity and capable of being readily destroyed, a perforated disk secured within the mouth-piece at the inner end thereof and constituting a closure for the outlet of the mouth-piece, animperforate sound penetrabl'e diaphragm arranged withln the mouth-piece and constituting means to prevent the passage of moisture, germs and dirt through the outlet .end of the mouthpiece, and a carrier for attaching the mouthpiece to a telephone transmitter.

13. As a new article of manufacture, a

for sound transmitting devices mouth-piece v light flexible materlal of sufcomposed of licient rigidity destroyed, a perforated disk secured within the mouthpiece at the inner end thereof and constituting a closure for the outlet of the mouth-piece, anda carrier for attaching the mouth-piece toia telephone transmitter and.

and capable of being readily provided with means for destroying the mouth-piece while the latter is being removed from the carrier.

14:. As a. new article of manufacture, a

- mouth-piece forsound transmitting devices while the latter is being removed from the.

carrier.

15. A sound transmitting device mouthpiece substantially conical 1n contour and formed of paper and having itsreduced end provided with a reinforcing band whereby said reduced end is of greater rigidity than its enlarged end.

:7 16. In combination, a sound transmitting devicemouth-piece substantially conical in contour and-formed of paper and having its reduced end of greater rigidity than 'its enlarged end, a perforated paper disk secured to the reduced end of the mouth-piece, and

a sound penetrable impervious disk secured to the reduced end of the mouth-piece and arresting the passage of moisture, breath, dust and disease germs through the reduced end of the mouth-piece, I

17. As a new article of manufacture, a mouthpiece for sound transmitting devices composed of light flexible material of sufficient rigidity and'capable of being readily destroyed, a perforated disk secured to the mouth-piece at the inner end thereof, and constituting a closure for the outlet end of the mouth-piece, and a molsture-proof diaphragm secured to the mouth-piece in proximity to the perforated disk.

18. In combination with a mouth-piece for sound transmitting devices substantially conical in contour, a perforated closure at one end of the mouth-piece, and a moistureproof disk composed entirely of paper and arranged in proximity to the perforated disk.

19. A sound j transmitting device mouthpiece substantially conical in' contour. and

formed of paper and having its reduced end of greater rigidity {than its enlarged, end;

and a carrier for attaching the mouth-piece to a soundtransmitting device and provided with means for destroying the mouth-piece while the latter is being removed from the carrier.

20. In combination, a sound transmitting device mouth-apiece subs'tantially'conical 1n contour and formed of paper and having its I paper, a perforated disk connected to the reduced end of greater rigidity than its enlarged end. a perforated paper disk secured to the reduced end of the mouth-piece. a sound ,penetrable impervious dislr secured to the reduced end of the mouth-piece and arresting the passage of moisture, breath, dust and disease germs through the reduced end of the mouth-piece, and a carrier for attaching the mouth-piece to a sound transmitting device and provided with means for destroying the mouth-piece while the latter is being removed from the carrier.

21. Asa new article of manufacture a mouth-piece for sound transmitting devices composed of light flexible material of sufiicient rigidity and capable of being readily destroyed, a perforated disk secured to the mouthpiece at the inner end thereof and constituting a closure for the outlet end of the mouth-piece, a moisture-proof dia phragm secured to the mouth-piece in proximity to the perforated disk, and a carrier for attaching the mouth-pieceto a sound transmitting device and provided with means for destroying the mouth-piece while the latter is being removed from the carrier.

22. In combination with a mouthpiece for sound transmitting devices substantially conical in contour, a perforated closure at one end of the mouth-piece, a moistureproof disk composed entirely of paper and arranged in proximity to the perforated disk, and a carrier for attaching the mouthpiece to a sound transmitting device and provided with means for destroying the mouth-piece while the" latter is being removed from the carrier.

28. As a" new article of manufacture, a mouth-piece for sound transmitting devices comprising a shell constructed of impervious outlet end of the shell and formed paratiin paper. and a sound penetralile moi ture-proof disk secured to the outlet end ol the shell and formed of parattin paper.

24:. A sound transmitting device mouthpiece substantiall' conical in contour ha ing its reduced end provided with inwardlyextending retaining arms, and a circular .meinber arranged within said liltllilli-Plttt' and abutting against said arms.

25. A sound transmitting device mouthpiece substantially conical in contour having its reduced end provided with inwardl v extending retaining arms. a circular member arranged within said mouth-piece and abutting against said arms. and a reinforcing band for the reduced end of said mouthpiece. i g 26. A sound transmitting device mouthpiece substantially conical in contour having its reduced end provided with inwardl x extending retaining arms. and a circular member arranged within said mouth-piece and abutting against said arms. said member provided with a plurality of perforations.

A sound transmitting device mouthpiece substantially conical in contour and having its reduced end provided with inwardl v-extending retaining arms. a circular member arranged within said month-piece and abutting against said arms. said member provided with a plurality of perforations. and a reinforcing band for the reduced end of said mouth-piece.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN GRAHAM. lVitnesses HERBERT RArBURerss, RI-IEA W. GRAHAM. 

